Veronica beccabunga (European Brooklime)
European Brooklime, Water Pimpernel, Becky Leaves, Cow Cress, Horse Cress
Veronica beccabunga (European Brooklime) is a marginal, aquatic, evergreen perennial forming a brightly colored mat of short, erect spikes of small, bright blue flowers with a white eye in late spring to late summer. The foliage of rounded, slightly toothed, fleshy leaves displays great crimson color in the fall. This emergent perennial herb produces horizontal or ascending, succulent, hollow stems that creep along the ground and root at the nodes. Veronica beccabunga is grown as an ornamental plant for butterfly and water gardens. The leaves were once cultivated as an edible, bitter green.
- Grows up to 4 in. tall (10 cm) and spreads indefinitely by creeping stems. If the foliage mat becomes too vigorous, it may be pruned to desirable proportions.
- Performs best in full sun, in permanently wet soil or in water up to 4 in. deep (10 cm).
- Perfect choice for bog gardens, water gardens, ponds and wildlife gardens.
- Easy to grow, this plant requires little care and is fairly pest and disease-free.
- No pruning needed, except to keep within bounds.
- Propagate by division or by stem-tip cuttings.
- Native to Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia.
- Find where Veronica beccabunga is invasive in the U.S.
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Requirements
Hardiness | 5
– 11 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 5
– 12 |
Plant Type | Aquatic Plants |
Plant Family | Veronica - Speedwells |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 2" – 4" (5cm – 10cm) |
Spread | 5' – 8' (150cm – 240cm) |
Water Needs | High |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Poorly Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
Native Plants | United Kingdom |
Tolerance | Wet Soil |
Attracts | Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Bog Gardens, Ponds and Streams, Rain Gardens, Water Gardens |
Hennadii_Havrylko, Shutterstock
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 5
– 11 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 5
– 12 |
Plant Type | Aquatic Plants |
Plant Family | Veronica - Speedwells |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 2" – 4" (5cm – 10cm) |
Spread | 5' – 8' (150cm – 240cm) |
Water Needs | High |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Poorly Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
Native Plants | United Kingdom |
Tolerance | Wet Soil |
Attracts | Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Bog Gardens, Ponds and Streams, Rain Gardens, Water Gardens |